The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-07-14

meet the Grand Army Of the Republic OF
any other assemblage Of my fellow citizens.
The account Of my official stewardship Is
always ready for presentation TO my coun-
trymen, / should not be frank IL failed 70
confess, while disclaiming all resentment,
that have been hurt by these unworthy
and wantOn attacks upon me, growing out
Of this matter, and the reckless manner in
which my actions and motives have been
misrepresented, both publicly and privately
!. for which, however, the Grand Army OF
the Republic. as body, is not responsible.
Threats Of personal violence and harm in
case undertake the trip in question-which
scores of misguided, unbalanced men, under
stimulation Of excited feeling, have made
are not even considered. Rather than aban-
don my visit to the West and disappoint
your citizens, might, IL alone were con-
cerned, submit to insult to which, It is quite
openly asserted l would be helplessly SUI
jected il present at the encampment, but
should bear with me there the peoples high
est Office, the dignity Of which must pro-
tect, and believe that neither the Grand
Army Of the Republic. as an organization,
nor anything like majority OF its members,
would ever encourage any scandalous at
tack upon 1t. Ii, however, among the men,
bership OF this body there are some, as GER
tainly seems to be the case, determined to
denOunce me and my official acts at the
national encampment, / believe they
by my presence as the guest Of their or
ganization, or rs the guest Of the hOspitable
city in which their meeting Is held. A num-
ber Of the Grand Army posts have signified
their intention, am informed, to remain
away from the encampment In case ! visit
the city at that time. Without considering
the merit OF such an excuse, / feel that l
ought not to be cause Of such non-at-
tendance. The time and place of the en-
campment were fixed long before my in
yitations were received. Those desiring to
participate in its proceedings should be first
regarded. and no being should be permitted
to interfere with their intentions. Another
consideration, of more Importance than all
others, remains to be noticed. The fact
was referred to by you when you verbally
presented the invitation Of the citizens Of
st. Louis, that the coming encampment Of
the Grand Army Of the Republic would be
the first held in Southern state. suppose
the fact was mentioned as a pleasing in
dication Of the fraternal feeling SO fast
gaining ground through the entire land,
and hailed by every patriotic citizen as an
earnest that the Union has really, and in
fact, been saved in the sentiment and spirit,
with all the benefits it vouehsafes to .
united people.
l cannot rid myself Of the belief that the
least discord on this propitious occasion
might retard the progress Of the sentiment
Of common brotherhood, which the Grand
Army OF the Republic has 30 good an Oppor
tunity to increase and foster. certainly
ought not to be the cause Of such discord, in
any event or upon any pretext. It seems to
me that you and the citizens OF st. Louis are
entitled TO this unreserved statement Of con.
ditions which have constrained me to fOregC
my contemplated visit, and to withdraw my
acceptance Of your invitation. My presence
in your city at the time you have indicated
can be OF but little moment compared with
NJ ia1 hNv